Can it be ID'd?

Mack

Mack

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I recently found a double bit axe with few markings visible. There is a deep "5" and little else. It's roughly 9.5 inches long and 4.5lbs. Other than that I know nothing
Can it be ID'd?



It takes a really nice edge and cuts like a dream so even if I don't know who made it I know it's a good one.
 
You got to give us more than that. Little else? What else? Any marks at all underneath or on top? Ribs in the eye? Any small stamps in the shape of diamonds, squares, circles ect?
 
garry3 said:
You got to give us more than that. Little else? What else? Any marks at all underneath or on top? Ribs in the eye? Any small stamps in the shape of diamonds, squares, circles ect?
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I'll do my best but I won't be home until next weekend. I'll try to find some markings but what I see is very little.
Thanks.
 
Maybe FS - Forest Service. The letters seem close to the edge unless the makers mark was quite long across the eye? Also, opposite the 5, is that a "1" or letter? Might just be a uniform looking ding/scratch - hard to tell in the picture.
 
There is a definite FS and a 1. They are stamped lightly and haphazard. That's all I can find though.

 
I'm betting you're right. I bought it from a guy in Arizona and there have been a lot of fires there in the past few years. I bet it was well used in one or more of them.
 
Dunno what companies made them but it may be a plumb or a true temper, neither of them had real deep stamps and this one looks like it's been cleaned up so they may have gone byebye. Almost looks loke someone took an orbital sander to it.
 
You're probably right. It's going to be a workhorse so it's not important to ID it but I always want to know if possible.
Thanks for the help.
 
The FS. stamp (probably Federal Supply Service) assures you that the metallurgy and manufacture of this head will be first class. The beauty of unmarked heads is collectors don't want them which allows a savvy user to get a 'real good' axe for a 'real good' price.
I underwent gov't forest fire suppression training in northern Ontario in 1970. WaJax pumps and hoses, backpack sprayers and Pulaskis were the primary items we were equipped with. Presumably there are more chainsaws these days. A double bit is a bit of a liability to be urgently rustling around in the woods with!
 
300Six said:
The FS. stamp (probably Federal Supply Service) assures you that the metallurgy and manufacture of this head will be first class. The beauty of unmarked heads is collectors don't want them which allows a savvy user to get a 'real good' axe for a 'real good' price.
I underwent gov't forest fire suppression training in northern Ontario in 1970. WaJax pumps and hoses, backpack sprayers and Pulaskis were the primary items we were equipped with. Presumably there are more chainsaws these days. A double bit is a bit of a liability to be urgently rustling around in the woods with!
Click to expand...

Thank you. Great info.
 
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